Emily + Mike's Te Arai Retreat Wedding
When Emily and Mike got in touch and told me that they would be tying the knot on their parents property I was buzzing. I love when my couples choose to celebrate at home in a place that means so much to them. Little did I know that Emily's parents own the beautiful Te Arai Retreat and we were to be their first ever wedding!
We started the day with the guys and because we were doing both photo and film my videographer Katherine came along and we had a blast joking around with the guys the morning of. Mike had a beautiful sentiment made to honour his grandparents and you can see just how he did so further down in this blog. These two decided to get married on what would have been Mike's Grandads 75th birthday <3
The bridal suite was to die for and all the natural light flooding through the windows meant so many stunning images of the girls getting ready! When the guests were due to arrive Emily and her girls hid at one end of the house while guests flooded into the backyard and eagerly took their seats.
Emily had one of her besties Sarah-Jane Laing Celebrant as her bridesmaid and her celebrant, it was epic to say the least. Such a gorgeous ceremony with the sweetest words and promises exchanged.
After the ceremony we managed to get all the family and group photos done before the heavens opened up! Emily, Mike and their bridal party embraced the rain and we headed off to capture their bridal party photos. On the property were their horses and we managed to get an epic shot of them looking at us as Katherine had a carrot in her snack box. We snapped the carrot in half as we pressed the shutter and those horsey ears perked up so quick!
We got some stunning portraits and then headed back to the party. The guests were already enjoying themselves when Emily and Mike sang themselves into their reception. There is an awesome photo of Mike belting it out down below. As the guests sat down they would have seen the unique plates which the couple collected leading up to their wedding day and hand chose for each guest. They also collected lots of crystal tumblers and vases to dress the tables. Twelve Tables provided a stunner of a marquee with their signature clear marquee being the talk of the evening. Lumina NZ's LOVE lights lit up the marquee as Emily and Mike shared their first dance together as husband and wife.
Such an epic day of celebration and love!
Their Album
